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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Just One Year is the sequel to Just One Day. While I've tried to keep this review as non-spoilery as possible, you might want to be familiar with the premise of Just One Day before you read this review!

Forman’s sequel to Just One Day follows Willem de Ruiter as he travels across the world searching for the mysterious Lulu, with whom he spent one perfect day in Paris, and outrunning his past. The novel is full of missed connections and soul searching as Willem learns that in becoming totally lost, he will find his purpose.

Just One Year provides a lot of answers to the multitude of questions raised in Just One Day, and after reading a novel all about Allyson—or, “Lulu”—wondering who Willem really is, it’s exciting to delve into his character. Willem is wholly unlike most male protagonists in YA fiction; his world perspective is very unique, and his blend of confidence and vulnerability make him both a likable and a frustrating character as he fumbles through the year after Paris. Forman’s plot tends to be slightly too serendipitous to be realistic, her characterization of Willem and her portrayal of his relationships are probing and honest. The story might have been more affecting if it had been told in alternating chapters with the prequel, but Forman’s ability to plot out complicated storylines and emotional landscapes is impressive. Don’t skip this sequel.

Cover Comments: I'm really happy that this cover matched the cover of Just One Day! I love the reflection of the glass and the appearance of being in a city. And, who can NOT swoon at the sight Allyson and Willem finally reunited? Although, it does seem a little bit misleading...the timeline of Just One Year follows the timeline of the previous book pretty closely.

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Formerly a YA book blog, TheCompulsiveReader.com is now the personal bookish blog of YA writer Tirzah Price! For more frequent dispatches about books, writing, and general nonsense, check out Book Riot, head over to Twitter or follow TirzahPrice on Litsy!